A portion of the Kumasi Central Market has been earmarked for demolition next month to pave way for phase-two of the Kejetia Market Redevelopment Project.

Relocation of traders to the new Kejetia Market is expected to be completed on February 12, 2020, to pave way for the demolition the next day.

The new roadmap follows a crunch meeting involving key stakeholders on the redevelopment project. The meeting was attended by the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council led by the Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, traders and the Local Government Ministry led by Deputy Minister, Osei Bonsu Amoah.

Others include, Contracta Engenharia Ltda and Consultants, Avangarde Design Services.

"This is to officially inform the general public and good people of Kumasi that, at the instance of the invitation of the Regional Minister, stakeholders of the Kejetia Market project have successfully held a meeting at the Conference Room of the Regional Co-ordinating Council on Wednesday, 22nd January, 2020, to resolve outstanding issues hindering the movement of traders from Zone I, at the Central Market; the area earmarked for demolition, to pave way for the commencement of Phase II of the project," an official statement said.

Construction work on the second phase of the Kejetia Market Redevelopment Project in Kumasi has delayed as the movement of traders from the Kumasi Central Market to occupy the facility put the project on hold.

Relocation of traders from Kumasi Central Market to the new Kejetia Market has been characterised by controversies as a result of power-play among major political authorities.

The €248 million project, financed by Deutsche Bank of Germany, with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) was expected to commerce immediately after a sod-cutting ceremony by President Nana Akufo-Addo in May last year.

It is aimed at redeveloping the market and provide other associated infrastructure at the market which has been zoned.

Ashanti Region Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, and Kumasi City Mayor, Osei Assibey-Antwi, were the two persons believed to be at the centre of the confusion threatening the validity of the project.

Mr Osei-Mensah, however, in a release signed on January 22, 2020, said traders have no option than to comply with the new directive and relocate to the new Kejetia Market on February 12, 2020 to pave way for development the following day.

"By midnight of Wednesday, 12th February, 2020, all traders within Zone I, the area to be demolished, should have moved to the Kejetia Market," his statement said

Below is the official release on the planned demolition.